RECONNECT PROGRAM GRANTS FOR BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s new ReConnect Program. USDA will make available approximately $200 million for grants (applications due to USDA by April 29), as well as $200 million for loan and grant combinations (applications due May 29), and $200 million for low-interest loans (applications due by June 28). Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 Mbps upload. Approved projects must create access speeds of at least 25 Mbps upload and 3 Mbps download. Priority will be given for projects that propose to deliver higher-capacity connections to rural homes, businesses and farms. For more information, visit https://reconnect.usda.gov/s/.

NET STOR 2019 Call for Proposals
The National Extension Tourism Design Team (NET) is accepting presentation proposals for the 2019 Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Conference, which will be held in Astoria, Oregon, October 8-11, 2019. This is a great opportunity for Extension professionals, academic faculty, and others working in the broad area of tourism and recreation, including tourism service providers and businesses, to share programs, initiatives, research, and success stories, and network with other professionals. The proposal deadline is March 8. Proposals will be reviewed and applicants notified by the end of March. Presenters will need to register to attend the conference as part of the final acceptance. For more information, visit http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/extensiontourismnetwork/net-stor-2019-call-for-proposals/.

SMALL BUSINESS ADVANTAGE GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced $1 million of grant funding for Pennsylvania farmers and small business for pollution prevention, energy efficiency and natural resource protection projects through the Small Business Advantage grants. For the first time, grants will be available to farmers and ranchers for projects that reduce and prevent pollution on working lands. Natural resource protection projects include the opportunity to plant riparian buffers, install streambank fencing to keep livestock out of streams, and agricultural storm water management projects, with the goal of reducing sediment and nutrient loads in our waterways. Eligible projects are those that adopt or acquire equipment or processes that reduce energy use or pollution. Pennsylvania-based small business owners with 100 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Projects must save the business a minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption, or pollution related expenses. Businesses can apply for 50 percent matching funds of up to $9,500 to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Only costs incurred between July 20, 2018 and June 30, 2019 are eligible. Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, and will be accepted until fiscal year 2018-19 funds are exhausted, or April 12, 2019, whichever occurs first. All applications must be submitted through the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance website. Printed, faxed, and mailed applications are not accepted. The complete Grant Application package, which includes step-by-step instructions for completing the on-line application as well as all related forms, is available by visiting the DEP Small Business Ombudsman’s Office website.

GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZING ORGANIZATIONS
The Peace Development Fund,a national nonprofit organization, is offering grants through the Community Organizing Grants program that provide support to community-based organizations in the U.S., Haiti, and Mexico that are working for social justice. The funding priorities include organizing to shift power, working to build a movement, dismantling oppression, and creating new structures. Priority is given to: new or emerging organizations; efforts that have difficulty securing funds from other sources; community organizations working on climate change issues at the local policy level; groups that have a genesis in the Occupy, MeToo, or Movement for Black Lives; collaborative peace initiatives led by women; or issues that are not yet recognized by progressive funders. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000, with an average of $5,000. The application deadline is December 28. For more information, click here.

USDA GRANTS, LOANS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering grants through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL and REDG), which offers loans and grants to assist in the economic development of rural areas, including funds for healthcare facilities and equipment, telecommunications networks, and job creation projects. The application deadline is December 31. For more information, click here.

USDA LOANS, LOAN GUARANTEES FOR RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering funding through the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. Loans and loan guarantees will provide funds for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. The application deadline is September 30, 2019. Click here for more information.

EPA BROWNFIELDS GRANTS AVAILABLE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for FY 2019 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grants (MAC Grants). These grants are offered by the EPA Brownfields Program and may be used to address sites contaminated by, or perceived to be contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants and petroleum. The application deadline is January 31, 2019. Click here for more information.

NFL FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR FIELD SURFACE, FIELD SUPPORT PROJECTS
The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, administered by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and funded by the National Football League Foundation, provides support for nonprofit neighborhood-based organizations and middle or high schools to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. Matching Field Surface Grants of up to $250,000 are available to help finance the resurfacing of community, middle school, or high school football fields. General Field Support Grants of up to $50,000 are available for capital projects not associated with the actual field surface, such as the installation or refurbishment of bleachers, concession stands, lights, etc. All organizations applying for funds must be located within NFL Target Markets and serve low- to moderate-income areas within those markets. A list of eligible communities is included in the Request for Proposals (RFP). The application deadline is January 31, 2019. For more information, click here.

EPA ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANTS AVAILABLE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering funding through the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. The program provides support for community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. The application deadline is February 15, 2019. Click here for more information.

GRANTS TO PROMOTE, MARKET PA WINES
The Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Program Board is seeking applications for grants to conduct promotion, marketing and research projects to increase the quality, profitability, production and sale of wines; enhance the wine industry; and benefit wine producers across the state. The application deadline is January 18, 2019. In addition to the grant proposal submission, applicants must provide a five-minute presentation of the proposal to the board during its February 19, 2019 meeting. The board will evaluate applications based on the project needs, expected impact of project outcomes, methodology, overall project evaluation, and support and participation from the industry. Submit complete project proposals and grant applications to Patrick Andrews, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, at patriandrew@pa.gov by 4 p.m. on January 18. Additionally, 16 hard copies must be mailed, to be received by January 21, 2019. Mail the copies to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Market Development, ATTN: Agricultural Commodity Board Grant Program, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408. For more information, call (717) 787-6041.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE PROGRAM – PLANNING
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for a second round of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Planning. The program supports treatment for and prevention of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, in rural communities. In FY 18, HRSA made 95 awards and in FY 19, HRSA anticipates making approximately 120 awards. The current planning awardees can be found on the HRSA website. Any domestic organization forming a consortium of four or more members in a rural community may be eligible to apply for funding. More information on eligibility and requirements is available here. Interested applicants may attend a live technical assistance webinar on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM EST. For further details on how to access this webinar, please see page (ii) in the Notice of Funding Opportunity here. The application deadline is January 15, 2019, with a program start date of June 1, 2019. If you would like a letter of support, please contact the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health at (814) 863-8214.

PORH OFFERING GRANT WRITING WEBINAR
The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health is hosting a webinar series on grant writing. The webinar series is designed for both the novice and seasoned grant writers and will include the following proven techniques for writing a proposal: an introduction to grant writing; developing a logic model; researching funding sources; compiling grant applications; project reporting; and identifying funding opportunities. Feedback on grant applications and other targeted technical
assistance will be provided. The program begins on January 17, 2019 and there is a fee of $299 for the series. Click here for the agenda and registration. For more information, call or email Terri Klinefelter at (814) 863-8214 or tjc136@psu.edu.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT RELEASES OPIOID MISUSE GUIDE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has released a new guide of federal programs that can be used to build resilient communities and address opioid misuse. The Rural Resource Guide to Help Communities Address Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Misuse highlights federal funding and partnership opportunities for rural communities. The guide was developed by the Rural Opioid Federal Interagency Working Group. The Working Group is co-chaired by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and USDA and includes the Departments of Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing, Justice, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the Corporation for National and Community Service; and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Earlier this month, USDA launched the Community Assessment Tool, an interactive database to help community leaders assess how and why the opioid epidemic is impacting their regions. The guide and assessment tool are part of the Community Opioid Misuse Toolbox which is available on USDA’s Rural Opioid Misuse Webpage.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHES DATA TOOL TO HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has released the opioid misuse Community Assessment Tool, which enables users to overlay substance misuse data against socioeconomic, census and other public information. This data will help leaders, researchers and policymakers assess what actions will be most effective in addressing the opioid crisis at the local level. The Community Assessment Tool is free and available to the public. Rural Development partnered with the Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis at NORC at the University of Chicago to create the Community Assessment Tool. NORC at the University of Chicago is a non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical program, business and policy decisions. Click here to use the Community Assessment Tool.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE
The Pennsylvania Public Health Association (PPHA), the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH), and the Penn State College of Medicine's Public Health Program announce a one-day conference, Invigorating Public Health in Pennsylvania through Community-based Initiatives, which will highlight community and public health issues for diverse and underserved populations. Abstracts are now being accepted on topics that address: community and public health strategies; best practices in improving the health of special and underserved populations, with a special focus on migrant and immigrant farmworkers; and the use of data-driven and evidence-based practices in public and community health. For more information, click here or call or email PORH Outreach Coordinator Terri Klinefelter at (814) 863-8214 or tjc136@psu.edu.

DEP AG PLANNING REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM EXTENDED TO SECOND YEAR
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has extended the Agricultural Planning Reimbursement Program to a second year. The program is open to all agricultural operators/landowners in Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay watershed who’d like to be reimbursed for fees they’ve paid to consultants to create manure management plans, nutrient management plans, and agricultural erosion and sediment control plans. Plans developed after January 1, 2017, are eligible. The registration deadline is April 1, 2019. Reimbursement funds are allocated based on the impact to the Chesapeake Bay and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, click here.

GRANTS TO IMPROVE LOW-INCOME, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
The Home Depot Foundationis offering Community Impact grants of up to $5,000 for projects that repair, modify, weatherize, or otherwise improve low-income and/or transitional housing or community facilities. The application deadline is December 31. For more information, click here.

RURAL HEALTH NETWORK DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCED
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has announced the release of the FY 2019 Rural Health Network Development Planning Program funding opportunity announcement. This grant opportunity supports the development of an integrated health care network and aims to assist rural health care providers and health care service organizations better align resources and strategies. This program will bring together key parts of a rural health care delivery system, particularly those entities that may not have collaborated in the past under a formal relationship, to establish and improve local capacity and coordination of care. The program will support
one year of planning with the primary goal of helping networks create a foundation for their infrastructure and effectively focus member efforts to address important regional or local community health needs. The Rural Health Network Development Planning Program will provide approximately $2.2 million in federal funding to rural communities across the U.S., awarding up to 22 programs for this funding cycle. Funded programs support the following statutory charges: achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve
the quality of essential health care services; and strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Programs under previous funding opportunities have focused on a variety of health care needs including behavioral health, care coordination, infrastructure, health information technology, and health education. For more information, contact Sara Afayee at (301) 945-4169 or SAfayee@hrsa.gov or to submit an application, click here. If interested in applying for this funding, please call the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health at (814) 863-8214 for assistance and to obtain a letter of support.

PASDC RELEASES NEW REPORT ON HOMELESSNESS
The Pennsylvania State Data Center has released a new report that highlights the trends in homelessness throughout the Commonwealth from 2012 to 2017. Homelessness in the Commonwealth: A review of Point-in-Time Counts from 2012 to 2017 used the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time counts. The data show that while Pennsylvania’s homeless population has decreased in the past five years, its rank relative to other states and Washington D.C. climbed from 10th to 7th highest. The latest point-in-time counts suggest a homeless population of just over 14,000 persons in Pennsylvania. Click here for the report.

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOANS AND GRANTS PROGRAMS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program and Loan Guarantees Program available. The Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant Program can provide funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. The Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Program can help private lenders provide affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for households and businesses in rural areas. To learn more about either of these programs, contact your local Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development office here.

DCNR EXPANDS STATE WOODLANDS INTERACTIVE MAP
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, working in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, has rolled out an expanded interactive map that adds state game lands to a website (http://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/bof/huntmap/index.html) already increasingly popular with hunters and other visitors to state woodlands. The map shows viewers areas of timber harvests and various habitat types as well as state forest boundaries and Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) areas approved by the commission. Other map overlays include bear check station locations, elk management zones, and normally gated roads that will be opened in the fall. The website is geared to be an invaluable tool for hunters seeking prime locations for a variety of game, and is also useful for anyone planning a visit to state forest districts or game lands. In addition, the site lists hunting season information, deer harvest statistics, and legal hunting hours. The map also features GPS and mapping measurement tools enabling hunters and others to find the best routes on state forest lands to areas they may want to hunt or visit. More than 101,000 acres of DCNR land has been approved by the commission for participation in its Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) during 2018-19. Hunting map users can also find information on DMAP permits available, as well as details on the 15 participating state forests and other essential information. Three new state parks are participating: Caledonia, Cowans Gap, and Pine Grove Furnace. Others are: Bald Eagle, Beltzville, Blue Knob, Canoe Creek, Codorus, Cook Forest, Gifford Pinchot, Hickory Run, Keystone, Kings Gap, Moraine, Nescopeck, Ohiopyle, Oil Creek, Prince Gallitzin, Presque Isle, Raccoon Creek, Ricketts Glen, Ryerson Station, Shawnee, and Tobyhanna. The map can be viewed http://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/bof/huntmap/index.html. For more information on Pennsylvania's 20 state forest districts, visit DCNR's webpage at www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/Pages/default.aspx.

RURAL LISC FUNDING TO DEVELOP, IMPROVE COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Rural LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) is accepting applications for the Community Facilities Fund, which provides capital to help develop and improve essential community facilities in rural areas. Rural LISC uses this fund to provide permanent and construction-to-permanent financing for rural community facilities, including health care centers, hospitals, educational facilities, and other nonprofit and public facilities in rural communities with populations under 20,000. There is no application deadline. For more information, click here.

PA’S ONE-STOP SHOP FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Looking for help to start your own business or expand your existing business? Visit Pennsylvania’s Business One-Stop Shop at www.business.pa.gov. The site provides information and resources for businesses both large and small, and serves as the first point of contact for Pennsylvania business development concerns. The shop’s team helps connect and guide businesses through all stages of development — from planning and startup to operating and expanding. Visit www.business.pa.gov or call (833) 722-6778.

EMERGENT FUND RESOURCES AVAILABLE
The Emergent Fundwas established to help provide quick resources to communities that include immigrants, women, Muslim and Arab-American communities, black people, LGBTQ communities, and all people of color. The fund focuses on grassroots organizing and power building in communities of color who are facing injustice based on racial, ethnic, religious, and other forms of discrimination. Grants are considered for the following: efforts that support emergent strategies that help communities respond to rapidly changing conditions, including resisting new or amplified threats and building power to move a proactive agenda; and efforts seeking long-term social justice and economic justice in a political and social climate that seeks to dismantle such efforts. The fund makes grants on a rolling basis throughout 2018. Click here for more information.

COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING
The Walmart Community Foundation is offering grants through its Community Grant Program. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations and agencies that work in one of the following areas: hunger relief and healthy eating, health and human services, quality of life, education, community and economic development, diversity and inclusion, public safety, or environmental sustainability. Awards range from $250 to $5,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Click here for more information.

FARM TOWN STRONG CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON HEROIN/OPIOID CRISIS ON FARM COMMUNITIES
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) have launched a new campaign, “Farm Town Strong,” to raise awareness of the impact of the heroin/opioid crisis on farming communities. The campaign also provides resources and information to help farm communities and encourage farmer-to-farmer support to overcome the crisis. The groups have launched a new website, FarmTownStrong.org, to provide easy access to information and resources that can help struggling farm families and rural communities. The Farm Town Strong campaign comes on the heels of a recent survey commissioned by AFBF and NFU that highlighted how the opioid epidemic has hit farmers and farm workers especially hard. While just under half of rural Americans say they, a family member, or friend have been directly impacted by opioid abuse, for farmers and farm workers it’s 74 percent. A strong majority of respondents also support increasing public awareness of anti-opioid resources and reducing the stigma that surrounds addiction to help solve the opioid crisis.

PENNSYLVANIA GRANT AND RESOURCE DIRECTORY AVAILABLE
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic Caucus has released the 2017-2018 Pennsylvania Grant and Resource Directory. The directory includes a general overview of state government programs, including grants and resources, along with contact information. The directory also includes a list of online grant writing guides and a list of Pennsylvania Community Foundations. Click here for a copy of the directory.

GRANTS TO PROVIDE ARTISTS WITH BUSINESS TRAINING, FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The Surdna Foundation is offering grants to nonprofit organizations through its Thriving Cultures program. Through the program's Artists and Economic Development funding area, the foundation supports efforts that provide artists with business training and financial resources. The focus is on nonprofit organizations that: operate business and entrepreneurship training programs for artists and cultural organizations, provide financing to artists and artist-centered enterprises, and offer arts and culture-based programs and services that directly engage and support the people who live and work in the area as a strategy for equitable economic development. Letters of inquiry are accepted throughout the year. Visit the foundation’s website to review the program guidelines.

RURAL HEALTH INFORMATION HUB ONLINE
If you’re looking for an online source for current and reliable resources and tools on rural health needs and the work being done to address them, check out the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub), formerly the Rural Assistance Center. RHIhub is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to be a national clearinghouse on rural health issues. RHIhub also provides free assistance customized to your needs. Call (800) 270-1898 or email info@ruralhealthinfo.org.